ATLANTA (Reuters) - Kenny Perry regained the lead in the Atlanta Classic on Saturday as overnight pacesetter Jonathan Byrd fired three over on the opening nine.

Perry grabbed the lead at 11 under with a birdie on the third and an eagle on the par-five fourth, before bogeying the ninth as he completed the front nine in 34.

The 47-year-old American had been joint leader after the first round and was in top spot midway through Friday's play.

Byrd - who had been supremely consistent with two rounds of 66, lost his way with three bogeys on Saturday.

Behind Perry come five players a shot off the lead on 10 under - Americans Justin Bolli, David Toms, Ryan Palmer, Charles Howell III and Colombian Camilo Villegas were all in the chasing pack.

Japan's Ryuji Imada, runner-up here last year, was level with Byrd on nine under.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; editing by Justin Palmer)

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